The Turkish Naval Construction Giant STM Revealed a New Amphibious Assault Ship Designed for Expeditionary Warfare, Robust Transport of Troops and Equipment, and Crucial Support in Humanitarian Missions.
The renowned Turkish shipbuilder STM announced an innovative project to meet the growing demands of modern naval operations: the new Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS). This vessel, an exponent of modern shipbuilding, is an amphibious assault ship designed to excel in expeditionary warfare scenarios and provide essential logistical support.
Versatility for Modern Naval Operations
According to NavalToday, the MRSS was conceived to face the challenges of expeditionary warfare. It is capable of transporting entire battalions, along with their equipment and vehicles. Furthermore, the ship provides vital logistical support to other naval platforms at sea. Its operations are expected both in times of peace and in conflict scenarios, under challenging conditions. STM’s shipbuilding expertise is evident in this project.
Capabilities and Technical Specifications of the MRSS
The specifications of the MRSS demonstrate its impressive capability.
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The ship has an overall length of 153 meters. Its beam, or maximum width, is 24 meters. The displacement reaches 9,700 tons. The vessel can operate continuously for up to 30 days without the need for refueling. Its maximum speed exceeds 18 knots. At a cruising speed of 14 knots, the MRSS’s range is over 8,000 nautical miles.
The MRSS accommodates a crew of 150 people. Additionally, it can transport another 500 soldiers. For landing operations, it is equipped with two landing craft (LCU). As per the shipbuilding design, the vessel features a tank deck of 800 square meters. This space has the capacity for 14 main battle tanks and 9 amphibious assault vehicles.
The vessel supports the operation of two 15-ton helicopters. It has complete facilities, including landing pads and hangars for aircraft storage. The ship also carries two 10-meter rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) equipped with A-type cranes for launching and recovery. For prolonged operational support, it can store 630 tons of fuel and 215 tons of fresh water.
Integrated Weapon and Defense Systems
The MRSS’s weapon systems include a main gun of 76 mm. It also features four remote-controlled stabilized weapon systems of 12.7 mm. For defense against imminent threats, the ship has two infrared/chaff decoy launchers.
Design Focused on Multiple Missions, Including Humanitarian Aid
The design of the MRSS shipbuilding project was officially revealed at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in Malaysia. During the event, Özgür Güleryüz, general manager of STM, highlighted the vessel’s versatility. He emphasized that the MRSS was not designed solely for military purposes. The ship plays a key role in humanitarian aid missions.
“From evacuation and medical support as a hospital ship to helicopter operations and search and rescue missions, it enhances naval operational capabilities,” stated Güleryüz. He added: “We developed an economical and efficient design for long-term missions at sea.”
STM and the Advancement in Global Shipbuilding
STM reinforces its position in the global shipbuilding market with this launch. The company has also begun the construction of three corvettes for the Royal Malaysian Navy. This project, known as LMS Batch-2, is being developed in Turkey, showcasing STM’s capabilities and international reach.

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